Florida Airline Takes Off Commuter Service Offering Low Fares

With a plane and a prayer, Jack Robinson hopes to build Florida`s next commuter airline, connecting Florida cities and the Bahamas with cheap fares and no restrictions.

On Wednesday, Robinson`s airline, Florida Air, will begin flying its 19- seat turboprop Embraer Bandeirante five times a day from Fort Lauderdale to Nassau. To start out, Florida Air is offering a fare of $25 each way.

By the end of the month, when the new planes Robinson has ordered are scheduled to arrive, Florida Air will begin service between Tampa and Fort Lauderdale.

``We have big plans,`` Robinson said. ``We want to grow.``

Robinson, the former president of Eastern Express, Eastern Air Lines` commuter airline, and his partner, Daniel Carpenter, a lawyer and expert on employee stock ownership plans, have financed Florida Air without debt, Robinson said.

``Most people thought we were crazy to start up an airline during a recession,`` Robinson said. ``But Fort Lauderdale is suffering because of a lack of service. Florida needs a commuter airline.``

Robinson`s plan is to add flights from Fort Lauderdale to Orlando, Freeport and the Bahamas Family Islands later this spring. By the end of the year he hopes to add Key West, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Fort Myers, Gainesville and Sarasota.

``Everywhere people want to fly in Florida, but can`t because there`s no flight, we`re going to fill those holes,`` he said. ``We`re going to offer high frequency and low fares with no restrictions.``

Florida Air is still awaiting final approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation to operate, but the department has issued an exemption that allows the airline to begin flying.

IN THE AIR

Florida Air will begin five daily round-trip flights to Nassau on Wednesday.